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It is the policy of Fairbury Public Schools and its Career and Technical Education programs not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, disability or age in its activities and programs, including employment policies and practices.

Pregame prayers raise a stink

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, so he could catch the gosh darn football. Patrick 10:10 For some people sports has become something of a religion. However across the nation there have been several bans on pregame prayers.

Pregame prayers have been a hot topic for several years now. Back in 2012 the University of Tennessee was in the middle of controversy because they received letters complaining about the public prayers that are held before games played at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee. The letters claimed that prayers held before games are unconstitutional. Despite criticism the university decided that it would continue to allow prayer before games.

The University of Tennessee is not the only school to face criticism for religious activities before the game. A judge ruled that cheerleaders in an East Texas high school were banned from making banners with Bible verses written on them. The cheerleaders displayed these banners during the school’s football games.

Not only did cheerleaders display banners, but athletes display Bible verses on their eye black and point to the heavens after a great play; however, they aren’t allowed to run through banners with Bible verses written on them or have pregame prayers.

I understand that not everyone has the same religion and that one religion shouldn’t take precedence over another one. But if people don’t want to participate in the pregame prayer, shouldn’t they just observe a moment of respectful silence. Some religions prohibit people from taking part in the National Anthem and they simply observe a moment of silence. I don’t see why the same can’t be done with pregame prayers.

The United States Supreme Court ruled that prayer violates the Establishment Clause in the First Amendment. This means that the government or school, as case may be, cannot discriminate against any different type of religion over another.

Sports have and always will have religion associated with it. Athletes will always continue to show signs that have religious significance. Since we can’t hold a public prayer before the game, all that we can ask for though is a moment of silence. It is deserved.